Express Employment Professionals Releases 2015 “State of the Unemployed in Canada” Survey
Express Employment Professionals recently released the results of its second annual in-depth poll, ” The State of the Unemployed in Canada ,” revealing that 38 per cent of unemployed Canadians agree to some extent that they have completely given up looking for work.
The survey of 1,837 jobless Canadians ages 18 and older was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between April 7 and 29, 2015. It offers a rare look at the background and attitudes of the unemployed, their approach to the job hunt, what they blame for their current situation, and how they are holding up through tough times.
“The state of the unemployed in Canada is cause for concern for all of us. A significant portion of the unemployed have given up, and the longer they are unemployed, the more entrenched they become,” said Bob Funk, CEO and chairman of the board for Express Employment Professionals. “If we want to get people back to work, the data is very clear. The status quo for a significant portion of the unemployed is not working.”
WHO ARE THE UNEMPLOYED IN CANADA?
According to the survey, 56 per cent of the unemployed are men; 44 per cent are women.
The largest groups by age are those between 18-29 and 30-39:
- 42 per cent are ages 18 to 29
- 24 per cent are 30 to 39
- 19 per cent are 40 to 49
- 12 per cent are 50 to 59
- Three per cent are 60 and over
Education Level
The vast majority of the unemployed in Canada lack a university degree:
- Three per cent did not attend secondary school
- 12 per cent received some secondary school education
- 25 per cent received only a secondary school diploma
- 11 per cent have a trade certificate or diploma
- 18 per cent have a certificate or diploma from a community college or CEGEP
- One per cent have a teaching certificate
- 10 per cent have some university but no degree
- Five per cent have a university certificate or diploma below bachelor
- 11 per cent have a bachelor or first professional degree
- Five per cent have a graduate or professional degree above bachelor level
How Many Are Having Success?
Many of the unemployed are simply not going to job interviews. In the last month:
- 44 per cent have not been on one interview
- 17 per cent have been on one interview
- 16 per cent have been on two interviews
- Seven per cent have been on three interviews
Seventy-two per cent of the long-term unemployed (unemployed more than 24 months) have had no interviews in the last month.
Who Do They Blame For Their Unemployment?
Many unemployed in Canada hold themselves responsible for being unemployed:
- 43 per cent blame themselves
- 39 per cent blame the economy
- 25 per cent blame their last boss
- 16 per cent blame the government
- 17 per cent blame someone/something else
Employment Insurance
Twenty-nine per cent of unemployed Canadians are currently receiving employment insurance benefits and 58 percent of the unemployed agree with the statement, “I haven’t had to look for work as hard knowing I have some income to rely on.” Forty-two percent do not agree at all.
Addressing the Skills Gap
The research suggests the unemployed have a significant gap in the skills they report having, compared to what they believe employers are looking for. Those who have been out of work for more than two years are less likely to think they have the appropriate verbal or written communication skills, can handle stress, and have time management, critical thinking or interpersonal skills. They are also less likely than those more recently unemployed to say they have the technological, leadership and persuasion skills employers are seeking. They did not rate themselves higher on any skill set than those who had been unemployed for two years or less.
Survey Methodology
This study was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals and included 1,837 Canadian adults aged 18 or older who are unemployed but capable of working (whether or not they receive unemployment compensation benefits). Excluded are those who are currently retired, choose to stay at home, or are unable to work due to long-term disability. The survey was conducted between April 7 and April 29, 2015.
Results were weighted as needed for age by gender, education, race/ethnicity, region and household income. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online. Totals may not equal the sum of their individual components due to rounding. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.
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